Single occupant roundabout



. June 17, 1958 R. E. SWITZER SINGLE OCCUPANT ROUNDABOUT Filed May 14, 1956 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent-O SINGLE OCCUPANT ROUNDABOUT Robert E. Switzer, Bakersfield, Calif.

Application May 14, 1956, Serial No. 584,611

2 Claims. (Cl. 272-33) My invention relates in general to a rotatable toy having as its main purpose the provision of a device suitable primarily for operation by a small child occupant.

A further object of my invention includes the provision of a whirling or rotatable car which because it is low and close to the ground, permits children of one year or a older to get on or off and operate without assistance.

A further advantage of my device is that except for the turning wheel all moving parts of the actuating mechanism are enclosed, thus affording a valuable safety provision of freedom from accidental contact with dangerous moving parts.

An important object of my device is the provision of a rotatable car which although it is transportable from one location to another still remains in the same location while being operated and eliminates the possibility of damage to furniture and other childern by unwanted movement.

An important advantage of my invention is that a small child can easily operate it and control the rotation motions to obtain a rapid change of vision and complete observation of the surrounding scenery in an entire circle of 360 degrees.

An important advantage of my invention is that as well as being a toy it is an instructive and educational device since the child in turning the wheel also turns his body in the same direction of rotation and receives a similar experience to that which will be later obtained when using and driving an automobile.

Another object of my invention is to provide a roundabout which is constructed of very durable, strong and unbreakable parts which are asesmbled in a smooth streamline manner without rough edges, corners or other undesirable obstructions.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a roundabout having several safety features, including a driving mechanism with no direct gear connection which may be so adjusted as to allow slippage in case an obstacle on the floor, such as another child or piece of furniture, is encountered.

Additional objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying sheet of drawings or from both as supplements of each other, wherein are set forth certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and functions.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings forming a part of these specifications, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my roundabout.

Figure 2 is a partial cross section taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1, including an operator.

Figure 3 is a plan of the the adjusting means taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now in detail to Figures 1, 2 and 3, wherein for purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, the numeral 4 indicates the supporting pedestal base. Rim 5 rests in a stationary posi- 2 tion on the floor and is attached to flange 6 of the stationary bearing housing 7. Rotatable bearing post 8 is welded at the top to a plate 9, which is secured to the frame housing 10 covering the upper part of the bearing assembly.

The frame housing 10 is securely connected to the, platform 11 on which are mounted the adjustable positioned seat 12 and apron 13. At the front end of platform 11 is attached vertical frame housing section 14, at the upper end of which is connected horizontal frame housing 15 both of which constitutes a hollow pedestal.

Steering wheel 16 attached to steering wheel shaft 17 is mounted in horizontal frame housing 15 by means of steering wheel bushing 18, and bushing 19 secured in mounting bracket 20.

Vertical gear and shaft housing 21 is attached by means of base plate 22 and adjusting bolts 23 to slot 24 formed in platform 11. Within vertical gear and shaft housing 21 is positioned Vertical shaft 25, rotating in bushings 26 and 27. To vertical shaft is attached gear 28 meshing with the pinion gear 29, secured to steering wheel shaft 17. At the lower end of vertical shaft 25 is fastened pulley 30 around which rotates belt 31, which also contacts flange 32 surrounding and connected to stationary bearing housing 7.

In the utilization of my roundabout, for a particular child, the tension of the belt is adjusted by moving the vertical gear and shaft housing assembly after loosening the adjusting bolts to a position where the belt is sufliciently tight to turn the car until an object offering resistance to the rotating movement is encountered. After selecting and positioning the motive power vertical gear and shaft housing in the most suitable position, the seat is then adjusted to the size of the child operator. It will be found that the child will be fascinated by the ability to turn around rapidly or slowly and observe the scenery passing by in front, and when it is desired the whole device may be lifted and transported to another location in the house or on the grounds, where suitable conditions exist for operation by a child at play.

It will be understood that while the form of my single occupant roundabout, herein illustrated and described is to be considered as a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself to the precise constructions as disclosed, but reserve the right to resort to and substitute various modifications and changes in shape, size and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of my claims as de scribed and indicated above and in the drawings and the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a portable amusement device the combination of a floor mounting base section; a bearing secured in said base section; a plate rotatably secured to said hearing; a platform mounted on said plate; aprons extending down from said platform to close spaced relationship with said door, said aprons forming a surrounding machinery mounting area beneath said platform; a stationary pulley formed in said base section; a rotatable pulley adjustably mounted in said machinery mounting area; a flexible belt operatively engaging said stationary and said rotatable pulleys; a vertically disposed shaft secured to said rotatable pulley and extending above said platform a vertical column surrounding said shaft; a tubular section extending over a portion of said platform and attached to said vertical column; a shaft mounted in said tubular section; gears connecting said vertically dis posed shaft and said shaft mounted in the tubular section; a steering wheel secured to said shaft mounted in said tubular section; a seat adjustably secured to said platform.

2. A single occupant propelled roundabout comprising a stationary supporting base; a platform rotatably attached to said stationary supporting base and having opposite end sections; a seat movably secured at one end section of said platform; a hollow pedestal mounted at one end section of said platform; a steering wheel rotatabl'y secured to said hollow pedestal; and agear, pulley and belt system connecting saidsteering wheel to said stationary supporting base whereby When said steering Wheel is turned said platform pivots around said stationary supporting base in the same direction as said 10 steering .wheel, said gear, pulley and belt system being adapted to slip and be inoperative when an obstruction to rotation is encountered.

References'Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wennerstrom Apr. 29, 1924 Pullen et al. July 12, 1927 Stewart et al. Sept. 20, 1927 Tomasini Nov. 25, 1941 Fernald Sept. 15, 1942 Watson Jan. 18, 1949 Wilson et a1. Aug. 12, 1952 

